This course satisfies the Civil & Social Engagement requirement for the School Culture Advocate Certification. Learn more at www.safeschoolsacademy.org/csca.

Course Description: As educators, it is a core responsibility that students are provided the skills necessary to formulate perspectives based on valid and reliable information. The values and underlying messages conveyed via news media, social media, and informational resources can shape the political and cultural views of our students. As political interest groups, 24-hour news cycles, and the “social media universe” push and promote specific information and messages, it is imperative that educators help our students understand the difference between facts and opinions and learn how find credible sources of information.

In this class, participants will understand the difference between facts and opinions and the ways our students struggle to differentiate between the two. We will analyze how we learn information from media and other resources and how that can shape conceptual understanding for our students. Participants will also learn about the ways to identify bias and evaluate sources, with attention focused on the ways we can ensure the perspectives from marginalize populations are heard. The course ends with an analysis of media and information literacy and strategies for engaging students in civil discourse in the classroom. The culminating assignment for the course is the development of an implementation plan for participants to take new learning back to their schools and classrooms.

Click here to download the course syllabus.

This is a one credit course.*

*Participants taking Drake graduate credit can enroll in a maximum of 12 graduate hours per academic semester.  If you take more than 12 credit hours, not all of your credits will be issued nor will your money be refunded. 

Upcoming sections:
January 12, 2025 - February 1, 2025
February 16, 2025 - March 8, 2025
March 16, 2025 - April 5, 2025
April 13, 2025 - May 3, 2025

Course Fees (✨🎅🎁 Happy Holidays!: $40 License Renewal Credit and $140 Grad Credit now through 1/5/25! Prices automatically applied—NO CODE REQUIRED! ✨🎅🎁):

License Renewal - $95 $40
Para credit - $95 $40
Graduate Credit - $175 $140
Audit - $35

If you have questions, check out our FAQ page! You can also email academy@iowasafeschools.org or call 515.381.0588 if you’d prefer to pay by check.

Cancellation/Refund Policy
Please review our Terms & Conditions for more information on our refund and transfer policy.

Minimum Registration Limit
Beginning 8/1/2021, the minimum registration limit for a class will be three (3) registrants. If your registered class does not meet the minimum registration limit one week prior to your course start date, our Registrar will contact you about future transfer options.

Transcripts
Please allow up to two weeks for transcripts to be processed following a course end date. Request your transcripts by going to http://www.safeschoolsacademy.org/transcripts.